Graphic Communications at California College of the Arts
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
14
Optimistic
14
Base Case
10
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,481/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Large (32,300 openings/yr)
ROI
2.3x earnings multiple
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Graphic Communications graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $530K | $525K | $483K |
| Earnings Multiple | 2.3x | 2.3x | 2.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 47% | 41% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 14 | 14 | 10 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$231,784
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,899
12.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,315
82% growth from Year 1
About California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,004 students in San Francisco, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at California College of the Arts →Top Career Paths
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800/yr
Desktop publishers
$53,620/yr
Prepress technicians and workers
$47,300/yr
Compare & Explore
Graphic Communications at Other Schools
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Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Graphic Communications at California College of the Arts?
A score of 14/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Graphic Communications. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Graphic Communications at California College of the Arts worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,899 against $26,481/yr starting salary means roughly 1.0 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Graphic Communications careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $483,221 in decade earnings vs $529,599 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →